Glorious Home

[Nephrite]

"Think of it as a purgatory." Moore says. "It's an entire plane, locked off the rest of the world, where people are given a second chance at life to see if they can ultimately overcome their own personal demons and persevere." Moore says.

"I did, apparently. I'm not sure exactly what I did there, I don't have all my memories of it... but... I did. I got out. When I woke up, I was in Venya." Moore explains, gesturing to the side. "I was told that I was needed and given a mission to join Aurora. From there, fate's guided me trough trials, tribulations, ups, downs and all arounds. I work with Celestia because I choose to -- because they've helped me see."

He clears his throat and takes a deep breath. "They've helped me see." He takes another breath. "I could just as easily work with Arborea, I could just as easily go back to Aurora and work there. The only side I'm choosing is the one where evil doesn't triumph in our world. It's just what I do. I'm not led by the nose by the will of Chronias. Why, I even got an archon friend of mine to admit that what might be in Chronias could be an amalgamation of Morwel, Zaphkiel and Mechanus."

He grins a little at that. "I think the world's changed a lot while you've been in here."

[Anastasia]

"Why come after me, then?" Makim asks, shaking his head and eyeing you oddly at your words.

Diplo again, -40 like last time.

[Nephrite]

"Because you can make a difference." Moore says, plainly.

Take 10 for 57.

[Anastasia]

"Besides that, Makim snaps, "I don't exactly make a big profile out there."

[Nephrite]

"I found myself here a long time ago. Someone -- I thought it was you -- helped me get back. Short, brown hair, beard... He was on the volcanic portion, if that helps narrow it down." Moore says. "I've wanted to come back since then to see what I could do to make an ally of this place." Moore explains. "Look, if you're dead-set on never going back, I'll respect that."

He takes a breath. "I just think it's a waste of your talent and all the talent you're creating and fostering here."

[Anastasia]

The reply is stopped by the door opening. Prince comes through, bowing. "Master," he greets.

Makim sighs deeply, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "What is it now?"

"We have to prepare," Prince says, "...Moore is right. That's all I want to say, I'll accept any penalty for eavesdropping that you like."

A moment's pause as Makim snaps off a few words, looking around. "Clever," he says slowly, "I'd have rather found out about this in a proper demonstration, but clever. Go clean out the stables by hand," he gestures, "Get out of my sight."

With a bow Prince vanishes and Makim sighs. "Do you know how long it look to make this a teleportation enabled demiplane without letting anyone travel to it by magic? Over a thousand years. I spent more time on a luxury than you've spend in your entire life. And in a few minutes you have Prosperity acting like an overawed kitten and Prince openly defying me." Makim rises, raising his hand. A torrent of spell energy gathers there, "I should strike you down like an armed enemy, because your voice is as much a threat as any drawn blade."

[Nephrite]

"You and I both know that it wouldn't be nearly as easy to do as you think it would." Moore says, no malice or threat in his voice at all, he shrugs with a smile afterwards.

"Makim, all this time you've been sitting here, the world outside has changed. It's not the same anymore. Don't you think it's at least time to come outside and take a look? Is there any harm in that? I mean, you know how to get back here and then you could just close your front door if you really wanted to." Moore says with a small shrug.

[Anastasia]

"That," Makim says smoothly, "Is enough of that. Maybe I will go see things now, if things are truly so dire. Maybe I will not. But if you utter another bewitching word in my presence, it will be the last mistake you make in this life or any life. For most of all, I will make MY own choices."

He holds there a moment, as if waiting and challenging you to speak.

Your call how to react there, Moore.

[Nephrite]

It wasn't a very thinly veiled threat at all, was it?

He considers, for a moment, what the most diplomatic thing to do would be. Would he take -that- as a threat? Hmm... It's worth the risk.

He simply takes the stone from Jovar and puts it on the ground, offers him a polite, low, bow, then will turn and head back for the door.

[Anastasia]

With a bare gesture, the door slams shut. "I did not give you permission to leave, did I?" Makim says, not even looking at the stone.  His voice is cool, controlled.

"Before anything else, I want to know what magic you're using to enhance your words. All of it." Makim takes his seat again now, "Speak that much, just tell me the spell names. You almost had me, you know. It's so damned easy to lose yourself in a voice like that. You're one of the better word fighters I've ever ran into. I'm sure you think it's for a good cause, maybe it is. I'm aware of the Prophecy of Primus; I am withdrawn, not ignorant of the world beyond here. That's what's driving you with your crusade against Shar, hm? No, don't answer that. Just tell me your spells. That, and what that stone was about. Yes, I would like to hear that...but I'll settle for having it written." He reaches into a bag on his hip, one you're sure wasn't there a moment ago. He takes out quill and inkpot, placing them on the table. "Write it out. In fact, write your spell names instead of speaking them, too."

Sitting back and exhaling, "Oh, and pick that stone back up on your way over here and put it back away."

[Nephrite]

There are things he'll do, and there are things he won't do.

He slowly turns around.

He closes his eyes for a moment -- is there wisdom in this?

A breath. Another breath. Yes, this is the right path.

Beware the cost.

He leans down to pick up the stone. "It's from Jovar." Moore says. There's no malice -- no heat in his voice. It's just calm. "I'm not writing anything else down. You have the means to find out what spells I have on me -- you developed the spell yourself. I don't have anything to hide from you. I didn't come here to be duplicitous." Moore says, simply.

[Anastasia]

Makim sighs, standing up. "You damned fool. Do I look like a liar? I warned you to be silent or it would be your last mistake; I fulfill my promises."

Init. That was a gamble and it wasn't the right one to push him on, not there and like that. Good luck with salvaging, try not to die.

Beware the cost indeed.

[Nephrite]

[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+36 : 17 + 36, total 53[/blockquote]

[Anastasia]

> roll 1d20+23 (+10 ???)
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+23 (+10 ???) --> [ 1d20=10 ]{33}

Init is Moore (53) > Makim (33)

Open.

[Nephrite]

What does Makim's magical sight tell me about the spells he has on him?

"I'm sorry to have offended you. In the future, you shouldn't treat a guest so rudely, though." Moore says. There's really no chance he can do this by himself, so... maybe proving a point to him will be enough?

He waves a hand, casting a spell himself.

Casting Harmonize, presuming that doesn't get countered then he's going to Inspire Courage himself.

[blockquote]Rolled 3d4 : 2, 2, 4, total 8[/blockquote]